US Treasury I Bond Formula:
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The US Treasury I Bond formula calculates the current value of Series I savings bonds, which are inflation-protected government bonds. The formula combines a fixed rate with semiannual inflation adjustments to determine the bond's compounded value over time.
The calculator uses the US Treasury I Bond formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for both the fixed rate component and inflation adjustments, compounded semiannually over the holding period.
Details: Accurate I Bond valuation helps investors track their inflation-protected investments, plan for future financial needs, and make informed decisions about holding or redeeming bonds.
Tips: Enter the purchase amount in USD, fixed annual rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.035 for 3.5%), semiannual inflation rate as a decimal, and years held. All values must be non-negative.
Q1: What are US Treasury I Bonds?
A: I Bonds are inflation-protected savings bonds issued by the US Treasury that earn interest based on both a fixed rate and an inflation-adjusted rate.
Q2: How often are inflation rates adjusted?
A: Inflation rates for I Bonds are adjusted semiannually, in May and November, based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Q3: What is the minimum holding period for I Bonds?
A: I Bonds must be held for at least 1 year, and there's a penalty of 3 months' interest if redeemed before 5 years.
Q4: Are there purchase limits for I Bonds?
A: Yes, the annual purchase limit is $10,000 per Social Security Number for electronic bonds, plus $5,000 in paper bonds via tax refund.
Q5: How are I Bonds taxed?
A: I Bond interest is exempt from state and local taxes, but subject to federal income tax. Tax can be deferred until redemption or maturity.